And although the defending champions are set to return even stronger than they were a year ago, Barca will once again face stiff challenges from Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, who finished second and third respectively in the league table last year.

Without further delay, let's take a closer look at what's in store for La Liga fans this coming season.

Barcelona vs. Real Madrid is the matchup every football fan will be waiting anxiously for next season. The two clubs have combined to win the Spanish football championship 54 times, including every La Liga title dating back to the start of 2004.

The two powerhouses will meet for the first time in league play in 2013 on October 27 at Camp Nou. The rivals will meet for a second time in La Liga on March 23, this time at Bernabeu.

The two Madrid derbies are scheduled for September 29 and March 2. This past May, Atletico ended its lengthy drought against Real, shocking Los Blancos in the Copa del Rey final.

That unthinkable result, which triggered Jose Mourinho's exit and eventual move to Chelsea, will have fans salivating over September's derby matchup at Bernabeu.

But just as is the case at the start of any season, fans will have to get acquainted with a plethora of new faces. Carlo Ancelotti has replaced Mourinho at Real Madrid and Atletico's star striker, Radamel Falcao has departed for Monaco.

The biggest addition to the league by far is Neymar. The 21-year-old Brazilian international put on a show at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup this past June, scoring four goals and leading the hosts to their third consecutive win at the FIFA major.

Neymar will take the pitch with reigning two-time La Liga scoring champion Lionel Messi, who has scored 96 goals over the past two seasons.

With Neymar officially on board, and both Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo entering the prime of their careers, the 2013-14 La Liga season promises to be one of the most entertaining in recent memory.